Units 1 & 3 Computer Basics, Memory, and Storage Vocabulary and Definitions

1. Application Software / Designed to help the user perform a particular task.
2. Biometric Devices / Devices that use a body feature of a person to identify them.
3. Booting / The sequence of events that occur between the time you turn your computer on and when it becomes ready to process data.
4. Computer / An electronic device that you can use to manipulate, store, retrieve, and process data.
5. Desktop Computer / A computer that is designed to meet the needs of one individual.
6. Embedded Computer / A single chip that contains all of the elements essential for any computer.
7. Graphical User Interface (GUI) / An interface that allows you to communicate with your computer by clicking on icons, buttons, and menus.
8. Hardware / The physical, touchable parts of the computer.
9. Icon / An image (graphic) that represents an executable file.
10. Input / A collection of raw data from the outside world that is put into the computer.
11. Laptop Computer / A portable computer that integrates a monitor, keyboard, touchpad, and speakers in one single unit.
12. Mainframe / A large, powerful computer that carries out different tasks for thousands of people at the same time.
13. Menu / A dropdown list or table of executable options.
14. Mobile Device / A small, pocket-sized computing device with a touch screen and memory card for data storage.
15. Multitasking / Running more than one application at the same time.
16. Operating System / The master controller on your computer.
17. Output / The results of processed data.
18. Peripheral Device / Any hardware device connected to a computer that expands the computer’s input, output, and storage capabilities.
19. Processing / Manipulating data.
20. Server / A computer that provides users with access to files and printers on a network.
21. Storage / The place where data is stored when it is not needed for processing.
22. Supercomputer / The fastest and most expensive computers in the world at the time they were created.
23. Tablet / A flat, mobile computer that uses a touch-sensitive screen for input and navigation.
24. Wearable Computer / Electronic devices that are integrated into watches, wristbands, belts, glasses, and even clothing.
25. WYSIWYG / What You See is What You Get